Mistakes that should be avoided after the Congregational Prayer

Sources:

1.   The clarified Ruling of Mistakes Done in Salaat by Mash-hur Hasan al-Salmaan

2.   Ash-Sharh al-Mumtie’ alaa Zaad al-Muustaqna by shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen

3. Fatawa of Ibn ‘Uthaimaan and Ibn Baaz

First: The Ma’moom leaving the prayer place or the Masjid after the Tasleem immediately before the Imaam turns away from the direction of the Qiblah.

Many of those who offer the congregational prayer commit this mistake which is that as soon as the Imaam makes the Tasleem they leave their places and head to the gate of the Masjid.

Shaikh  ul-Islam  Ibn  Taymiyyah  (Rahimahullaah)  said:  “The  Ma’moom  should  not  leave  his praying place till the Imaam turns (his face) away from the direction of the Qiblah. The Imaam should not sit  after the Tasleem facing the Qiblah except for  a period needed to recite the Istighfaar (seeking Allaah’s forgiveness) thrice and say “Allahumma Anatas-Salaam Wa minkas-Salaam, Tabaarakta yaa Thal-Jalaali wal-Ikraam.” When the Imaam moves away from his place,one may leave, or if he wills he could stay and remember Allaah.” [Al-Fatawa, vol.22/p:505]

The aforementioned ruling  of Ibn Taymiyyah (Rahimahullaah) is based on the Hadeeth narrated by Anas (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) in which he (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “The Messenger of Allah (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) one day led us in prayer and when he finished he turned his face towards us and said, ‘O people! I am your Imaam, so do not precede me in Rukoo’ (bowing) and Sujood (prostration) and in Qiyaam (standing) and leaving (the prayer place)’.” [Muslim]

Second: The Imaam not turning away from the direction of the Qiblah after finishing the Tasleem

Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen (Rahimahullaah) said: “It is disliked for the Imaam to prolong his sitting facing the Qiblah after the Tasleem, rather he should lighten his  sitting and not exceed the period more than for seeking Allah’s forgiveness thrice and saying, “Allaahumma Anatas-SalaamWa minkas-Salaam, Tabaarakta yaa Thal-Jalaali wal-Ikraam.” Then he leaves. This is the Sunnah. As for prolonging the sitting after Tasleem facing the Qiblah, this comprises of the following:

1-  It is against the Sunnah.

2- It is detaining the people; because the Ma’moom is prohibited from leaving before the Imaam moves away (from the direction of Qiblah or  from the praying place).  If  the Imaam remains facing the Qiblah for a long time, then this will detain the people.

3- The  one  who  is  behind  the  Imaam  might  think  that  the  Imaam  is  remembering something that he forgot (in the Salaat), and this may cause confusion to the Ma’moom.The Imaam may turn to the right or left after the Salaat has ended and all  this is  quoted from the Prophet (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam).

‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ood (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “None of you should give a share of his self to Shaytaan (Satan) by thinking that it is necessary for him to turn to the right side only (after prayer). I saw the Messenger of Allaah (Salla Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) move often turning to the left.” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

The Imaam should then face the followers after finishing the prayer with Tasleem. [Reported byAl-Bukhaari on the authority of Samurah bin Jundub (Radia Allaahu ‘anhu)] Accordingly, if one wishes he could depart or leave from the right side or the left side after finishing the Salaat.”[Kitaab as-Salaat-Sharh al-Mumt’ie by Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen]

The Ma’moom should not leave before his Imaam, in accordance  with the statement of the Prophet  (Salla  Allaahu  ‘alaihi  wa  sallam):  “Do  not  precede  me  with  leaving  or  departing.”However, if the Imaam prolonged his sitting facing the Qiblah more than the Sunnah, then the Ma’moom is  allowed to  depart  (in  this  case).  [Majmoo’  Fatawa and Rasaa’il  by  Shaikh  Ibn‘Uthaimeen vol.13]

Ibn Baaz (Rahmatullaah Alayhi) said: “Then after making Tasleem, he says “Astaghfirullaah (Iseek Allaah’s forgiveness),” thrice, then he says, ‘Allahumma Anatas-Salaam Wa minkas-Salaam,Tabaarakta  yaa  Thal-Jalaali  wal-Ikraam  (O  Allaah,  You  are  the  Salaam  (free  from  every imperfection), and peace comes from You, Blessed are You, O Possessor of glory and honour).’The man or the woman would say the same thing (whether he is praying alone, or behind the Imaam).  Then the Imaam would turn and face the people afterward and say, “La ilaaha illaAllaahu Wahadahu laa sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-Hamd Yuhyee wa yumeet wa huwaalaa kulli shay’in Qadeer (None has the right to be worshipped but Allaah and He has no partner in Lordship or in worship or in the Names and the Qualities and for Him is the Kingdom and all the praises and thanks are for Him, He gives life and causes death and He is Omnipotent).’”